Apricot tree named &#39;suaprinine&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apricot  Prunus armeniaca,  cv. ‘Suaprinine’ that ripens early in the season and produces heavy, consistent crops in early districts of the California San Joaquin Valley. Fruit is large (averaging 58 mm), firm and develops a bright golden-orange color with red blush on exposed fruit. Flavor has been judged to be superior to other early-season apricots with approximately 14° brix that is well balanced by a slightly tart skin, a slight aroma, and moderate juice.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus armeniaca

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Suaprinine’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree, herein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘Suaprinine.’ The new variety originated by hybridization, and was first hybridized by Bruce Mowrey. The new variety was first selected by David Cain and was evaluated by David Cain and Terry Bacon on Sun World Experimental Ranch 75 near Wasco, Calif. in Kern County.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘Suaprinine’ is characterized by producing early-season, firm, large fruit (averaging approximately 58 mm). The fruit develops a bright golden-orange color with red blush on sunlight-exposed fruit. The tart-sweet flavor of the new variety is superior to other early-season apricots with approximately 14° brix that is well balanced by a slightly tart skin, a slight aroma, and moderate juice. Additionally, ‘Suaprinine’ is a more consistent producer in the southern San Joaquin Valley than other early varieties.

The seed parent of the new variety ‘Suaprinine’ is ‘Sun World breeding selection 063-160’ (unpatented), and the pollen parent is ‘Sun World breeding selection 90A-006’ (unpatented). The parent varieties were first crossed in 1992, with the date of planting of February 1993, and the date of first flowering being February 1995. The new apricot variety was first asexually propagated by David Cain near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in 1997, by budding onto ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock.

The new variety ‘Suaprinine’ is distinguished from its seed parent, ‘063-160’ in that the fruit ripens approximately ten days earlier, and is larger and firmer than the fruit of the seed parent. The new variety is distinguished from its pollen parent, ‘90A-006’ in that the fruit ripens approximately five days earlier, is larger and develops red blush in sunlight while the fruit of ‘90A-006’ does not.

The new apricot variety ‘Suaprinine’ may be distinguished from presently available cultivars in commerce by the following combination of characteristics: the new variety ‘Suaprinine’ most nearly resembles the apricot tree variety ‘Poppy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9593). It may be distinguished from ‘Poppy’ by being more firm, having higher sugar (approximately 14° brix while ‘Poppy’ is approximately 12° brix), and having more red blush on exposed fruit.

The new variety ‘Suaprinine’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, budding onto ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

The accompanying color photographic illustration (FIG. 1) shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new apricot variety ‘Suaprinine.’ The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.

The new variety ‘Suaprinine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to six year old ‘Suaprinine’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2002, and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (measurements taken on 6 year old tree unless otherwise     noted).     -   -   Tree size.—Medium. Normal for most apricot varieties.             Reaches a height of approximately 3 meters including normal             pruning.         -   Tree vigor.—Moderately vigorous with growth of approximately             1.5 to 2 meters height the first growing season.         -   Tree growth.—Upright-spreading.         -   Tree productivity.—Productive. Fruit set is usually two or             more times desired amount for marketable size fruit.             Thinning and spacing of fruit is necessary.         -   Tree form.—Vase formed.         -   Bearer.—Regular. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Partially self-fertile. Suapriten has set well             under tent to exclude bees, but pollinator variety may             increase set.         -   Tree canopy density.—Dense. Pruning is required to open tree             vase shape, allowing more sunlight to center of tree.         -   Tree hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of             California. Winter chilling requirement is approximately 500             hours at or below 7.2° C.         -   Tree disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing             for relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has             been designed. Under close observation in area described in             Wasco, Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit             disease resistance/susceptibility has been observed. -   Trunk: (measurements at 30 cm above soil line).     -   -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 10 cm. Varies with soil type,             fertility, climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth to slightly shaggy, increases with age             of tree.         -   Trunk color.—Near Greyed-yellow 161D in exposed areas to             near Brown 200A in recesses, and becomes darker with age. -   Branches: (measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).     -   -   Branch diameter.—Ranges from approximately 4 to             approximately 6 cm.         -   Branch texture.—Smooth on 1^(st) year wood, increasing             roughness with tree age.         -   Branch color.—Branches vary from near Greyed-yellow 161D to             near Brown 200B.         -   Branch lenticels.—Number: Numerous — varies from             approximately 2 to approximately 9 per square centimeter.             Lenticel number varies widely depending on environmental             conditions and vigor of the plant. Color: Near Greyed-yellow             161D. Typical size: Approximately 6 mm in length and             approximately 2 mm wide. -   Flowering shoots: (data taken in July at midpoint of current-season     growth).     -   -   Flowering shoot size.—Average diameter: approximately 5 mm.         -   Flowering shoot color.—Topside: Near Greyed-orange 165A.             Underside: Near Greyed-orange 165A.         -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Few. Number varies from             approximately 5 to approximately 10 per linear centimeter.             Lenticel number varies widely depending on environmental             conditions and vigor of the plant.         -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:             Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color:             Near Greyed-orange 165A.         -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Elongated-ovoid. Width:             Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Color:             Near Greyed-orange 165A. Number: Usually 2.

LEAVES

-   (data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of     current-season growth).     -   -   Leaf size.—Average length: Approximately 80 mm. Average             width: Approximately 80 mm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—Upper surface: Near Green 139A. Lower surface:             Near Green 139B.         -   Leaf form.—Circular.         -   Tip.—Cuspidate.         -   Base.—Rounded-to-truncate.         -   Leaf margin.—Strongly serrated.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinately net veined.         -   Leaf surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Leaf petiole.—Average length: Approximately 28 mm. Average             diameter: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Near Red 45C.         -   Leaf glands.—Form: Globose. Number: Varies from             approximately 4 to approximately 6. Position: Alternate on             upper portion of petiole. Average size: 0.7 mm by 0.7 mm.             Color: Near Greyed-orange 165A.

FLOWERS (Fully Opened)

-   General:     -   -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Approximately Feb.             20, 2002. Full bloom: Approximately Feb. 25, 2002.         -   Flower size.—Average diameter: approximately 28 mm.         -   Flower aroma.—Very slight. -   Flower peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 2-4 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.8 mm.         -   Color.—Near Yellow-orange 15C with highlights of near Red             43C. -   Flower petals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.         -   Length.—Approximately 13 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 11 mm.         -   Shape.—Circular.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.         -   Color.—White.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Margins.—Smooth. -   Flower sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Length.—Approximately 8 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 6 mm.         -   Shape.—Eliptical with cuspidate tip.         -   Color.—Near Red 46D.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth. -   Flower stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 22 to 26, averaging approximately 24.         -   Average length.—Approximately 9 mm.         -   Filament color.—White.         -   Anther color.—Near Yellow 12B.         -   Pollen color.—Near Yellow 12B. -   Flower pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually one, occasionally two.         -   Average length.—Approximately 18 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2.5 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Fine.         -   Stigma position.—Stigma extends to a level about equal with             anthers.

FRUIT

-   (data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain maximum     quality). -   General:     -   -   Fruit harvest.—Date of first pick. Approximately May             9, 2002. Date of last pick: Approximately May 16, 2002. -   Fruit size:     -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 58 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 60 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 58 mm.         -   Average weight.—Approximately 105 gm. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Viewed from apex.—Nearly rounded, slightly asymmetrical.         -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Rounded-to-slightly oblong,             slightly asymmetrical.         -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Nearly rounded. -   Fruit apex shape: Flattened and indented. -   Fruit stem-end cavity depth: Shallow. -   Fruit stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 7 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—Near Green 143C. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Adherence to flesh.—Tenacious.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Short, slight amount.         -   Ground color.—Golden-orange (near Orange 24B).         -   Overcolor.—Some red blush near Red 43A present where fruit             is exposed to sunlight.         -   Taste.—Mildly acidic. -   Fruit flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Fine, very firm.         -   Fibers.—Few, short.         -   Flavor.—Tart-sweet.         -   Brix.—Approximately 14 degrees.         -   Juice.—Moderate.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Color.—Near Orange 26A.         -   Fruit use.—Dessert. Market, local and long distance.         -   Fruit shipping/keeping quality.—Good. Holds well in cold             storage for three weeks and maintains good firmness and             eating quality. Minimal bruising and scarring in packing and             shipping trials. -   Stone: (measurements taken on dried stones).     -   -   Stone freeness.—Freestone.         -   Stone size.—Length: Approximately 28 mm. Diameter in line             with suture plane: Approximately 21 mm. Diameter             perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 14 mm.         -   Stone form (viewed from side).—Rounded.         -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Oval.         -   Stone base shape.—Rounded, retuse at stem attachment.         -   Stone apex shape.—Rounded with a slight, dull point.         -   Stone surface.—Irregularly furrowed near base. Lightly             ridged throughout. Slightly pitted throughout.         -   Stone halves.—Equal.         -   Stone ridges.—One ridge present (well-developed) on each             side of the suture. The ridge is narrow, beginning at the             base and extending throughout the length of the stone.         -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Well developed.         -   Stone tendency to split.—None.         -   Stone color.—Near Greyed-yellow 161B when dried. 

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree named ‘Suaprinine’ as herein illustrated and described. 